1891: Otto Lilienthal
Glider Pioneer
Otto was one of the most courageous fathers of modern flight. Before the Wright Brothers ever thought to build the first powered plane brave men like Otto were learning about flying by building and flying experimental gliders. Many lessons were learned that later helped people like the Wrights.
Otto did not have other people to copy to learn how to build his gliders. In fact, Otto and his brother Gustav learned many of their lessons by studying birds. In 1889 Otto Lilienthal published a famous book called Birdflight as the Basis of Aviation.
Otto flying in 1895
Otto Lilienthal made over 2000 sucessful glider flights, amazing the world and inspiring others to fly.
Otto Lilienthal
(1848-1896)
- 1870: Completed engineering degree
- 1885: Commenced aviation experiments
(with brother Gustav)- 1889: Book published
(Birdflight…)- 1891: First sucessful flight
(80 feet)- 1893: Builds artificial hill
(flights of 800 feet)- 1894-6: Continued glider development
(taught world’s experts)- 1896: Glider experiment incomplete
